Get comfortable being uncomfortable

Editor's note: In recognition of Women's History Month, throughout March, Firelands Health is recognizing female leaders in its health care who work at the organization. One such example is Katherine Smith, a registered nurse, who serves as the senior director of Firelands Physician Group. Depending on the exact statistic you reference, women account for more than 70% of the health care workforce. What women face in the health care field is likely similar to other industries. We are statistically more likely to absorb more household and caregiver duties outside of our professional responsibilities. Due to this, women face the unique challenge of simultaneously balancing a tremendous amount of personal and professional responsibility day in and day out. I'll paraphrase Margaret Thatcher: If you want something done, ask a woman. We are great multitaskers and can handle a lot. Our role in society over time has ensured that. Working in health care is a rewarding but challenging profession. We have faced a pandemic that has affected the entire paradigm that we deliver healthcare under. This has destabilized the workforce and left those of us serving this profession to innovate for the next generation of care. We need to do more with less. Those of us in health care are here because we are truly called to serve our community and humankind. Something I always keep in the back of my mind was from one of my college professors. She said, "If you aren't uncomfortable, then you probably aren't reaching high enough." The moment I realized that anyone advancing themselves was likely uncomfortable, too, made me ready to take those opportunities. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.